It's A Wonderful Life.

Let me just say that, although I still have a running obsession with Harry Potter at present...there is one thing that has pulled me momentarily from the whirlwind that is the world of JK Rowling.

Last night, I went to my sister Haley's house for dinner and as I entered the apartment, Amy Grant's Christmas CD was playing in the living room! This totally set my mood and was further encouraged when Jessica came into the house from work and said..."hey, just so you know, they are playing Christmas music on the 106.5." I, realizing that she does not like Christmas in general, let alone anytime before Thanksgiving, thanked her graciously and promptly turned my radio to the above-mentioned station this morning. Little snowflakes dusted my windshield as I drove happily to work listening to "I'll be home for Christmas", and a jazzy rendition of "The Little Drummer Boy". I could literally feel the Christmas spirit flowing through my veins as I pulled into the parking lot, climbed out of my car and entered the building. We had corporate lunch today so one of my coworkers brought in cans of coke and diet coke...I can always tell when it is getting close to Christmas, because the cans are festively decorated with Santa and snowflakes! This just furthered my excitement for the Holiday that is Christmas.

After getting off early from work, and getting a decent paycheck (finally) today. I decided to get my oil changed for the first time since moving here. I dropped my car off at the back of Walmart and quipped with the information that this oil change was going to take more than an hour to complete, I started my rounds through the store. I perused the shoes, clothes and electronics and, finding nothing, finally made my way over to the Christmas aisle. Like a moth to the light, excitement filled my every fiber as the louder-than-it-needed-to-be, but loud-enough-for-me-to-get-giddy Christmas music filled the designated Christmas area. Trees were lit, fake poinsettia's laid out, lights, ornaments, and wreaths as far as the eye could see (or as far as the section went). It was a beautiful sight to see, marvelous to behold (Harry Potter Reference...)

I bought a couple pine scented candles to fill our apartment with some Christmas cheer.

Some people might say that this behavior is overlooking the beloved holiday of Thanksgiving during this time of year. I say...what the hell? If getting too excited over a holiday that brings people closer together, and makes people think of others more than their selves, then what does it matter? Why NOT celebrate it for two months. Getting excited for Christmas early doesn't make me appreciate Thanksgiving any less. If watching Christmas movies on the 10th of November makes me ridiculous than, so be it! I love the holiday season. I love it because I think of my family and I think of people who make me happy. All I want to do from November 1st until January 1st is be happy and be with the people who I love more than anything in this world.

If there is one thing that I have learned since moving to Utah, it is that it doesn't matter how much money you have; it doesn't matter how many things you have if you don't have people in your life who you would do anything for! I don't even know if this is making any sense, but I have just been so blessed these past few months with people in my life who have made it worth living. I have literally been flat broke since I moved here. I don't say this to evoke sympathy, or to say...poor me, but I do it to say that I have learned SOOO much from this experience. I have learned that you can literally have dirt in your pocket and choose to either feel sorry for yourself or choose to be happy. I have chosen to be happy and be grateful for what I do have. I am so grateful for my mom and dad and for their support and their faith in me. I'm a freaking nomad and have been since I graduated from college, and I'm sure that it can't be that easy to have faith in that; I am prepared to accept the title of being the tumbleweed of the Bly family.

I am also so grateful for my brothers and sisters and for the love and encouragement that they give me every single day. I am grateful for God and for my faith in Jesus Christ and for the joy that that knowledge brings me every second. I know that I can return to live with my father in Heaven and what more could I need! Honestly, isn't that what Christmas is celebrating? The birth of Christ, who has made it possible for us to return to heaven?

So...to close, when you see me smiling these days, I hope you know that these are the thoughts that are running through my head! And as Harry Potter would say, Happy Christmas everyone!